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25 Greatest Performances In NBA Finals History

By Bill Speros

PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 16: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team owner Jerry Buss after they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA finals 4 games to 2 on May 16, 1980 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 16: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team owner Jerry Buss after they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA finals 4 games to 2 on May 16, 1980 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 1984: Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics pulls down a rebound against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1984 NBA Finals June 1984 at The Boston Garden in Boston Massachusetts. The Celtics won the finals 4 games to 3.. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 1984: Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics pulls down a rebound against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1984 NBA Finals June 1984 at The Boston Garden in Boston Massachusetts. The Celtics won the finals 4 games to 3.. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

10. Larry Bird, Boston vs. Los Angeles, Game 5 (1984)

This game was defined by one singular image – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s face covered with an oxygen mask, Perhaps the greatest Finals of all-time, the series was tied 2-2 as it returned to a sweltering and slightly berserk Boston Garden.

Amid stifling 97-degree Boston Garden heat and humidity, sans air conditioning, Bird was “looking fresh as a daisy,” so said Laker coach Pat Riley. While many players on both teams found themselves overcome by the horrid conditions, Bird thrived in them.

Bird hit 15 of his 20 shots from the floor for 34 points, adding 17 rebounds. He hit from the outside, the middle, and taking feeds beneath the basket from Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge.

He nailed a three-pointer as the shot clock expired late in the third quarter that gave Boston an 88-77 lead, triggering a near riot. With his right arm raised in victorious triumph, Bird shared high-fives with his teammates.

"“Aw hell, I play in hotter weather back home in Indiana in the summer,” said Bird."

The Celtics took command of the series from there and won it in seven games.

Next: Finally, The Lakers